Circular-knitting machine



Oct. 30, 1928.

Filed Oct. 25, 1912v A. M. PIGEON CIRCULAR KNITTING MAGHINE 'a .sheetsf-sheet 1 W1 I VCZ' i -11 l oct. 3o, 1928. 1,689,881

A. M. PIGEON CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed 081.25, 1912 8 sheetsheet 2 111 v10 Mor ,f7/fw )M Pigeon l momewv Oct 3o, 192s. 1,689,681

A. M. PIGEON C IRCULAR KNI-TTING MACHINE Fil Oct. 25, 1912 8 Sheets-Sheet 3` Mmm/wolf A. M. FGEON CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Get. 30, 1928. 1,689,681

A. M. PlGEoN I CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed oct. 25, 1912 e sheets-sheet 5 FIG. I

Imaam nv Oct. 30, 1928. l 1,689,681

v A. M. PIGEON CIRCULAR KNTTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 25, 1912 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Oct. 30, 1928. 1,689,681

A. M. PlGEoN C IRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 25, 1912 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Vfl" x e a b 0 d Oct. 30, 1928. 1,689,681 A. M; PIGEON CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 25, 1912 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 HGM ' lll Patent-ed Oct. 30, 1928.

UNITED STAT-Es PATENT OFFICE.

lALBERT YIII. PIGEON, OE EHILADELEIIIA, PENNSYLVANIA, AssIeNoB. 'ro WIEDIIAN MFG. co., OE.NORRISTOWN, PENNsYLvANIA, A CORPORATION OE PENNSYLVANIA.

cIacULAEfxNI'ITING MACHINE.

Application led October 2 5, 1912. Serial No. 727,760.

The invention relates more particularly vto knitting machines of the cylinder ty e, whereinthe needles and supporting cylinder may berotated for circular knitting or oscil- 5 lated at certain intervals, if desired.

An object Of the invention is to provide a yarn feed or yarn guide with means wherey the same ma be automaticall inoperative, an the yarn fed thereby cut from the web and the free end clamped and held until said yarn feed is again automatically rendered effective.

A further object of the invention is to provide a yarn feed of the above character, 1'5 wherein a plurality of yarns may be independently controlled and independently fed to the knitting needles, or renderednoperative and each yarn cut from the web and clamped and held until it is desired to again feed the arn to the knitting needles.

A furt er object of the invention is to provide means for feeding a splicing yarn to the knittin needles, for reenforcing a portion only o the knitted web during circular,

95 or round and round knitting, which yarn .feed is so disposed that the yarnf may be led from a feeding-in point, .substantially diametrically Opposite the knitting point in the cylinder.

to provide means for throwing down one series of the needles at a point opposite the knitting point in the cylinder during the feeding-in of the. splicing yarn, so that said splicingvyarn is brought into contact only with the needlesA by whichy said Eyarn is looped,

These and other objects willin part be obvious, and will impartbe hereinafter more 40 fully described. l

In the drawings, which show by way of illustration one embodiment of the 'invenltion, 'Y

Fig. I, is a plan view of a portion of'a i5 knitting machine. having my improvements applied thereto. v

Fig. II,'is. a side view of the upper por` tion of said machine.. I Fig. III, is a similar view'taken'from the other side of the machine.

Fig. IV, is a vertical section on line IV, IV, in'Fi'g. I, through the needle cylinder, the supporting frame' .therefor and the Vimrendered A still further object of the invention ,is

mediate mechanism for driving the' cylinder.

Fi V is a horizontal section on line V, V, o Fig. III, showing the mechanism for operating the raisingand lowerin cams in 1an, also the pickers in plan,'an the cam or depressing certain of the needles to prevent the same from engaging the auxiliary splicingvarn. Fig. is a. diagrammatic view, showing the cams for engaging the needle butts during the knitting and also the pickers used dur-ing widening and narrowing;

Fig. VII, is a perspective view showing the sections of the pattern drum for control- 4 ling the yarn feeding devices, the auxiliary splicing yarn and the ratchet Wheel for turning the drum'.

Fig. VIII, is a vertical sectional view on line VIII, VIII, of Fig. I, through the pattern drum/for the yarn feeding devices, and :lso through the supporting members there- Fig. IX, is a perspective view showing the yarn cutting device, the guiding member for the yarn, andthe clamping llinger for engaging and holdin the cut end of the yarn, one yarn being leld by the clamp and the second varn being carried into said clamping an cutting devices.

Fig. X, is a similarl view, showing a yarn held by the clamping device and another yarn thrown into eifective knitting position.

Fig. XI is a view similar to Fig. X, showing the Vyarn being withdrawn from the clamping finger.'

Fig. XII, is xa perspective view ofthe upper end of' the needle cylinder showing the needles, the main yarn feed, the auxiliary splicing yarn feed, and thev relative position of these arts.

Fig. III, is a sectlonal view on l1ne XIII, XIII, of Fig. I, through the upper beard needles, the beards with a beard depresser, and said beard depressers are rocked by suitable cams, so as to engage the vbeards and press the same at the proper time for the shedding of the loop.

As soon as the beard depresser passes the cam, it is automatically withdrawn therefrom. The yarn is fed to the needles by a plurality of yarn feeding devices, which are controlled by a pattern drum operated from the main pattern mechanism, so that one or 'more of said yarn feeding devices may be rendered eective, or inoperative, as desired. The invention contemplates further a yarn cutting and clamping deyice, which is so constructed that `when a yarn feeding device is rendered inoperative, the yarn will be drawn into a clampingl device and then into a cutter, where it is cut between the web and' needles from a point substantially oppositel the knitting point in the needle cylinder. Co-operating with this splicing yarn feed is a cam which lowers all of the long butt needles in a region opposite the knitting point, so`

that the splicing Yyarn will be positioned so as to contact with the first needle in the short butt series, and said needles position the yarn at the knitting point so that it is properly engaged by the needle. This positioning of the auxiliary splicing yarn feed is also such that the yarn is drawn about the last needle of the short butt series and between said needle and the first needle of the long butt series, before said long butt needle is raised, thereby insuring the l,termination of the feeding-in of the auxiliary splicing yarn in certain portions of the wales of the web. Y y

Referring more in detail to the drawings, my improved knitting machine consists of a needle cylinder 1, which is provided with spring beard needles 2, located in the channels-formed in the needle cylinder and attached to the needle jacks 3. This needle cylinder 1, is mounted on a supporting bed 4. A gear 5, is attached to the needle cylinder and meshes with a gearI 6, mounted in the main frame, and actuated from a bevel gear 7, which is attached thereto. The bevel gear 7 may be rotated for rotating the needle cylinder, or may be oscillated for oscillating the needle cylinder. The needle cylinder is supported in the main frame and connected to the. gear 6', so that it may be raised and lowered for the fashioning of the the other series the needle jacks are formed with short butts.

When the heel and toepockets are being knit, the long buttneedles are raised to idle position. This is accomplished in my present invention by a raising cam 8, and said needles are again depressed, so as to bring them into active position by a depressing cam 9. The cams 8, and 9, are independently mounted on a vartical supporting stud 10. The cam 8, iscarried by a lever 11, which extends beyond the pivotal support, and is provided with a pin 12, adapted to be engaged by an armV 13, carried by a supporting member`14, which is moved laterally when the clutch is shifted for changing the. movement of the needle cylinder from rotation to oscillation, and vice versa. A spring 15, carried by the lever 11, normally presses the cam 8, so that it is brought into position to engage the long butts on the needle jacks. When the supporting member 14, is moved away from theneedle cylinder, the cam 8, will be brought'into position, so as to engage the needles having long butts, and said needles will be raised `to idle position. The cam 9, is carried by a supporting arm 16, which is also freelymount/ed on the vertical stud 10, and a spring attached n to the arm normally swings the cam 9, into the path of movement of the long butts on the needle jacks. The supporting .member 14, carries a second arm 17, which is formed with a slot 18, adapted to engage a stud or pin 19, carried by `the arm 16. When this supporting member 14, is moved away from lthe needle cylinder,'.so as to release the cam 8, the end of the slot 18, will engage the stud 19, and move the cam 9, out of the path of travel of the long butts on the needle jacks. It will thus be seen that I have provided means whereby independently mounted cams may be alternately thrown into eiective operation, either for raisingl the long butt needles to idle position, 'or for depressing the long butt needles to active position. This cam controlling mechanism forms no part of my present invention, but is shown described and claimed in my Patentv No. 1,266,044, dated May 14, 1918.

(lo-operating with the active series 4of needles during the knitting of the heel and toe pockets, for narrowing the stocking, are pickers 20, and 21. These pickers operate in the usual way to render the advanced needle of the active seriesv idle during the oscillation of the cylinder in either direction. When the. cylinder is rotated for circular knitting. the picker 20, should be moved the shank of the picker 20, and turns said picker to idle position. When the cam 8, is thrown out of action and the depressing r cam'9, thrown into action, so as to bring the l `the lower' end of the beard Adepresser moved, .55

-long butt needles into active position, the

picker 20, is moved to inoperative position. The widening of the stocking at the heel and toe pockets is accomplished by the pickers 24, and 25. Each of these widening pickers is mounted for independent movement on an arm which has a universal connection with the support therefor. The pickers are moved to inoperative position during circular knitting by a bar 26, which is carried by a lever 27. The lever 27, is automatically shifted by the parts which are moved for bringing about the rotation of the cylinder.

Mounted in the supporting ring at the top of the needle cylinder are fabric supporting members 28, see Figs. IV and XIII. These fabric supporting members are provided with yarn supports 29. The fabric supporting members are independent of each other andextend between the needles. Said fabric supportingA members are independently moved radially of the needle cylinder by suitable cams. VThe inner ends lof the yarn supporters are lpreferably beveled, and these yarn supporters are timed so as to withdrawn after the yarn has passed underneath the spring beards of the needles. The

arn supports form no part of the present lnvention,l but are shown, claimed in my Patent No. 1,266,044, dated May 14, 1918, and-further description thereof herein is not thought necessary.

The" pring beards are closed so4 as to allowv the ya loops to be shed from the needles by beard depressers 30, see Fig. XIII.

There is a beard depresser for each needle,

and said beard depresser 4is formed with a shank, which is located between the ribs of the needle cylinder and outside of the needle. Said de resser at its inner edge is curved so as t orm a high point 31. A coil spring 32, is located in a groove formed in the ribsv of the needle vcylinder and is adapted to engage a Vfshapednotch 33, in each needle depresser. This spring rocks` the, beard depresser about its high point 311,' s as to hold inwardly toward the needle cylinder. The upper. end of the beard depresser is formed lwith a beard engaging face 34. The front face of the beard depresser is preferably widened so as to practically lill thespace between thejyarnv .supporting members 28,

. and thereby-insure said beard'depresser engaging the beard of the needle. When the lower end of the beard depresser is forced inwardly by the sprin 32, said beard depresser will rock abouli1 the high poi-nt 31,

described and `to the knitting needles.

mounted on a supporting arm 42. These,

depresser away from the needle, so as to permit the yarn to be fed between the beard depresser and the beard of the needle." This beard depresser has no Vvertical movement,

as has been customary' heretofore, but is which withdraws the face 34, of the beard rocked solely about this high point 31. y

needles, so as to cause the face 34, of each. beard depresserto engage the spring beard and close the same so that the yarn may be shed over said spring beard. As soon as the beard depresser passes the cams, the coil spring 32, will at once cause the beard depresser to release the needles. I have shown two cams for engaging the beard depressers, one of which becomes operative in shedding the yarn loops when the cylinder is moving in one direction, andthe other of which `becomes operative in the shedding of the yarn loops when the cylinder is oscillating in the opposite direction. These beard depressers are shown, Pgat'pnt No. 1,247 ,324', dated November 20, 1 1 I have provided means for feeding to the be knitting needles either` simultaneously or alternately, `several knitting yarns. Said yarn-feedin shown, of fbur yarn-feeding fingers 37, 38,

39 andl 40. Each of these yarn-feeding described and claimed in my fr mechanism consists, as herein finders is formed withra yarn guide 41, at

its free end, through which the yarn passes Each finger is also supporting arms are carried by a supporting rod 43, andare so mounted as to move 1ndependently of one another. Each arm is provided with an adjustable cam lug 44.

.This lug is slotted as at 45, and is held in various adfusted positions by a screw 46. By unfastening the screw the lug may *be slid longitudinally of the arm 42, and the distance of the lug from the pivotal point of the arm varied.

The cam lugs 44, of the several arms supporting yarn-feeding fingers, bear on -a pat,- tern drum 47. A rearwardly extending arm 48, is rigidly 'carried by the brackets supporting the rod 43, and the drum 47 On said arm 48, I have placed a series of springs 49, one foreach arm 42. -These springsat their free ends bear on the arms, and normally press the cam lugs 44, against the pattern drum.

This pattern drum 47, as shown in Figs. VII, and VIII, is provided with a series of spaced projecting segments 50` which are of different lengths and so spaced relative to one another as to secure the proper throwv ing in and out of arn-feeding fingers controlled thereby. T at is to say, the cam lug 44, rests on this segment, and as the drum is 1 outer face of the segment, the yarn-feeding the knitting machine.

fingeris raised to inoperative position, while when said cam lug 44, is ofi' the segment, then the yarn-feeding finger is lowered into active position. This drum 47, is mounted to rotate freely on a supporting stud 51, carried by the bracket supporting the yarnfeeding devices, andthe drum is rotated by a ratchet wheel 52.

A lever 53, is oscillated by a link 54, which is moved by the main pattern mechanism of Said lever 53, is pivoted to swing about the axis of the drum. At the outer en'd of said lever is a springpressed pawl 55, which is adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 52. When t e link 54, is reciprocated, the lever 53 will be oscillated and the spring-pressed pawl 55, will engage ,the ratchet wheel and turn it step by step.

A stop screw 56, limits the upward throw of the free end of the lever 53. Said stop screw engages the supporting bracket for the drum. This pattern drum is rotated at times by the main pattern mechanism, so as to cause the yarn-feeding fingers to be thrown into or outof action in accordance with the pattern segments carried lby the drum. y As shown in Fig. I, of the drawings, the yarn-feeding finger 40, is in action while the other yarn-feeding fingers are out of action. This yarn-feeding finger may be used for feeding a yarn during the knitting of the garter top of a stocking.

In Fig. XIV', I have shown the development lof the pattern drum for the yarn-feeding fingers and indicated the different positions of the ldrum by the Figures I to 9 inclusive, and the broken lines indicated by these figures. Ihave also indicated b the arrow the direction of` movement o the drum. l

The yarn finger 40, co-operates with thesegments a, while the yarn fingers 39, 38, and 37, co-operate respectively with the segments b, `o, and d. When the pattern drum is positioned so that the section indicated by' the broken line 1, is engaged by the cam lugs, the finger 40, will be depressed as the segment a at this point. terminates. Upon further turning of the drum one tooth, so as to bring the part indicated by the broken vline 2, underneath the cam lugs, the finger 39 carrying the yarn for knitting the leg portion of the stockin will be thrown into action, and after said finger is thrown into action, the finger 40, will be raised to inoperative position. This is accomplished by reasonof the fact that the broken away part or space in the yprojecting segment a neath the cam lugs 44, at. which time the finger 37, is brought into action. The finger 37, is supplied with a splicing'yarnin addition to the main yarn and these two yarns are fed simultaneously forthe knittino` of the heel pocket. Thereafter the yarn gulded by the finger 38, may be again brought into action' for knitting the sole of the stocking,

vwlienthe portion of the drum indicated by' the broken line 8, is underneath the cam lugs 44, and following this, the double yarn carried by the finger 37, is again brought into action for knitting the toe pocket.

Prior to my invention, it has been customary to float the yarns of the fingers which are inoperative. It is impractical to float more than one yarn during the circular knitting, as the yarns become very much twisted. The present invention contemplates, therefore, a yarn cutter and clamping device, whereby the yarn of the finger which is thrown to inoperative position-may be severed from the web, and the end of the yarn clamped and held until said yarn guide is again thrown into action. This yarn-cutting and clamping device consists of a support'- ing platesi, which is carried by a bracket 58, formed on the endofl a long arm 59,

. rigidly -fixed to the rod 43, by a set screw 61. This arm` 59, extends over the needle cylinder, and the bracket 58, depends therefrom, so that the supporting plate 57, is held f f at a point below t eupper ends of the needles in the needle cylinder, and at a point substantially in the plane of the fabricsupporting members.` Said plate is curved as at 62, to conform to the inner surface of the needles, and is slightly spaced therefrom.

The plate is also provided with a. slot 63, terminating in an eye 64. This slot provides a tongue 64a extending from the outside of the plate 57 in the direction toward the yarnfeeding fingers as appears from Fig. I. The tongue 64, as sho-wn by the perspective views Figs. IX, X and XI, is curved upward 4at its extremity from the plane ofthe plate 57, so that a yarn from a feeding finger-in the active position is carried by the movement of the cylinder under the tongue 64, while the cut end lies between theslot 63 and the clamp 64 on top of the plate 57, as' shown in Figs. X and XI. When the' yarn-feeding finger is raised to the inactive position, this yarn is held above thef extremity of the yarn as the cylinder rotates, will draw the tongue 64a. The slot 63 increases in width yarn from underneath the clamping finger, toward its open endfso as to form a-widandout through the eye 64. ened receiving inouth for the yarn when the It is to be noted that this pull on the yarn saine is throwninto action. in pulling it from'the clamping finger, is 7.0 The yarn clamp consists, as herein shown, nin the saine direction as the yarn is placed of a spring finger 65, which is formedof a under the clamping `finger, and, therefore, spring wire fixedly attached to the supportthe pulling of one yarn out of the clamping ing bracket 58,' by a screw 66, Fig. 1. The finger will not disturb the other yarns held wire is coiled, and is bent so as to be pressed by the clamping fin ers, but, on the contrary, 75 against the su porting plate 57. Said wire will tend to pull said yarns well underneath is preferably ormed with a curled end 67, said clamping finger. which is slightly raised from the plate, sol This pull on the yarn, in view of the posias to allow the arn tobe drawn underneath tion of the eye-64, relative to the cutting l l said clamping finger. knife, will also canse the yarn to be pulled 80 A cutter 69, is also carried by the ,supbackwards from under the knife, thereby porting bracket, and is held in fixed position keeping the knife clean. relative thereto. Said cutter is provided F rom the above description, it will be apwith a cutting edge 70, which is spaced above parent that I have provided a yarn-clamping the supporting plate 57, so that the yarn and cutting device which will automatically 85 may be drawn underneath the cutting edge. operate to claiiip the yarn when a yarn guide This cutting edge extends downwardly into is thrown to inoperative position, and cut a slot in the supporting plate, so that when the yarn between said clamp and the web, the yarnis drawn underneath the cutter, it so thatthe web vis entirely free of the yarn.

will contact with the cutting edge thereofurthermorawhen a yarn-'feeding fingerl is 96 and the yarn will be severed. Said cutter thrown into action, the` clamping device 69, is preferably setat an angle to the di-l readily releases the y'arn, so that it may be rection of movement of the cylinder, to aid entirel free from the clamping device. iii cutting the yarn. Furt ermore, this clamping and cutting. In Fig. IX, I have shown -a yarn 71, of the yarn or the releasing of the yarn, 95 clamped by the yarn-clamping finger, and operates in precisely thel saine manner, a yarn 72, bein drawn into said clamp. whether one yarn is 'clamped and cut, or AThe point 73, in icates the place where the whether several yarns are cut and held by yarn is attached to the web when its yarn the clamping device.

feeding finger is thrown to inoperative posi- The supporting arm 59, for the vyarn- 100` tion and theyarn withdrawn from knitting cutting and clamping ydevice may be raised, position relative'to the needles This point if desired,y by swinging the supportingrod 73, is, therefore, a traveling point moving 43, therefor. Said rod 43, carries la plate along the outer edge of the supporting plate 7 5, and a pin 76, carried by the supporting 40 57, in the direction of the arrow in said figbracket for the arm 59, is ada ted to engage 105 ered.

knitted web.

ure. As the cylinder continues to rotate, Openings formed in the plate or holding the Athe yarn will be drawn underneath the yarn feeding fingers together with the arm clamping finger 65, and .against the cutting supporting the yarn-cutting and clamping edge of the cutter 69,- where it will be sevdevice either in operative or inoperative position, so that when necessary this entire 110 The free end of the yarn extending to the mechanism may bethrown back to aord yarn 'feeding ingr therefor, is clamped by access to the needle cylinder. 0 the clamping finger, while the yarn is sev-v Another feature of my invention consists ered between the-clamping finger and the in a yarn feeding device for feedingan auxiliary splicingyarn during the knitting 115 W'hen it is desired to throw a yarn feeding of `a stocking, so as to reenforce such porfinger into action, it'is moved downward, astions of"' the stocking as may be desired.

described above. The yarn between the This auxiliary splicing yarn feed consists of clamping finger and the yarn guide will be ayarn-feeding finger 77, having a yarn guide 5,5 caught by the needles', and the point 74, in 78, at the outer end thereof. This yarn 120 :Fig X indicatesthe place wherethe yarn feeding finger 77, is mounted on an arm 42,

y is knittedinto the web. -Thispoint travels similar to that above described, and is proy along the outer edge'of the supporting plate videdu with a cani lug 44, which cooperates 57, in the same manner as described in conwith the pattern` drum 47. The attern seg-` nection with Fig. XI. The yarn will be ments e shown in Figs. VII 'an XIV, con IE Jdrawn. underneath the outer extremity of trolthe feeding of this auxiliary splicing tongue 64 of the plate 57 and into the reyarn.' It isjdesirable in the knitting of a ceiving mouth of the slot 63. As theyarn stocking to introduce a reenforcing yarn at l moves along the slot, it will be brought to the lower part of the ankle ortion of the y* the eye 64, therein, and a further pull on the Stocking, at the back half o lthe stocking,

also for reenforcing the sole of the stocking between the heel and toe pockets. These pattern segments e on the'drum 47, are therefore, so constructed as to terminate and provide suitable spaces so that the slicing pocket. When the yarns for the knitting of the heel pockets are thrown intov action, the auxiliary splicing yarn is thrownI out of action, and when the yarn fed by finger 38, for the knitting of the foot of the .stocking is `again thrown into action, the auxiliary sp ing yarn is also thrown into action.-

T iis auxiliary splicing yarn guide, as shown in Fig. I, extends over the cylinder to apoint substantially diaminetrically opposite the knitting point of the needles in the f cylinder. This splicing yarn is floated dur- 79 is inclined downwardly into cylinder, and holds the splicing yarn delspllcing yarn feed will ing the knitting ofthe tubular web until the point is reached where it is desired to knit with the splicing yarn. A curved uide79, is formed with a supporting shan 80, by which it is attached to the supporting the top of the needle cylinder. Thls guide the needle pressed centrally ofthe cylinder. Co-o erating with the auxiliary splicing yarn feed is a cam 81,'se'e Figs. II, V and VI. This cam is fixed to the supporting frame andi's positioned so as to engage the long butt needles, that is, the needle jacks having the long butts, and de-presses the corresponding needles, as shown in Fig. XII, to a point so that these needles will pass underneath the auxiliary splicingyarn. The auxiliary splicing yarn is thrown into action while t e cylinder is rotating, and, therefore, the cam 8, ldoes not engage the long butts, as 1t isin inoperative position during circular knitting.- These long butt needles are, how?" ever, raised'just prior to reaching the stitching cams, so that said lon butt needles become active for knitting wlth the main knitting yarn. The operation of this auxiliary be apparent from Figt XII ofthe drawing. The long butt needles are rendered inactive by the cam 81, as above noted, as they pass the auxiliary splicing yarn. The first needle in theshort butt series will, therefore, engage the' splicing yarn at a point below the beard of the needle. As the cylinder continues to rotate, the auxiliary, splicing arn will be laid against the outer face o the shanks of the short butt needles, and when the needles reach the knitting cams, said yarn will be will be depressed so that the auxiliary splicring at 7 knit with the main yarny sup lied to saidl t needles. Asthe last needle in icated at 82,

in Fig. XII, reaches the point indicated in this figure the yarn4 will be drawn around the shank,'and the position of the guide for 4the auxiliary splicing yarn is such that said yarn will be passed between the needle 82, which is the last needle of the short butt series, and the needle 83, which is the first needle ofthe long butt series. When the by the dotted line 84, in Fig. XII. The

needle 85, represents the first needle of the short butt series, and as the cylinder rotates, all of the long butt series in advance thereof ing yarn willvbe wrapped around the shank of this needle 85. By this positioning of the auxiliary splicing yarn feed, and the throwing down of the long butt needles, I

am able to cause the splicing yarn to be looped definitel in the same Wale of the knitted web. en the auxiliary splicing yarn is thrown out of action by the upward movement of the guiding finger therefor, said'yarn is moved out of range of the needles and will float until again brought into action. While I have shown the guide for the splicing yarn as substantially opposite the knitting point, it is obvious that it may be otherwise positioned, so long as it is properly related to the needles to hold its 'yarn so as to be engaged by the firstneedle in the short butt series, and also to be carried between the last needle ofthe short 'butt seriesand the first needle of the long butt series.

It-is uthought the operation of my device will be apparent fromI the above description. In the knltting of a stocking, a certain desired yarn may be caused to be engaged by the needles during the forming of the garter top. After this is completed, this yarn may be thrown'outv of action, the yarn clamped and severed from the web. Prior to the throwing out of action of this yarn, a second yarn may be thrown into action for knitting 'the leg of the stocking. Whenthe ankle of the stocking is reached, the yarn for knitting ,the leg is withdrawn and another yarn may be thrown into action to'getherwith the auxsplicing yarn, from a point at. the opposite side of the needle cylinder from the knitting point to selected needles at a higher level than the other needles, the auxiliary splicing yarn may be caused to engage definitely with certain needles, and `may be caused to guide the yarn without any movements of the auxiliary yarn feeding guide toward and-from the cylinder, as is usual where splicing yarn is fed to the needles passing the guide at the same level. vWhen the point is reached for the knitting of the h eel ocket, two yarns fed from a single feed may taneously into operation, and the yarns used for knitting the ankle of the stocking, caught by the yarn clamp and lthe ends thereof severed from the knitted web. The fashioningl, yarn (the yarn lused in knitting the an le) may again be used during the knitting of the foot portion of the stocking after the heel pocketis finished, and the auxiliary splicing yarn .may at the same time be again Ythrown into action for reenforcing the sole of the foot portion the toe pocket is reached, the double yarn (same/as used for the heel) for knitting the same may be again thrown into action and the yarns for knitting .the foot thrown out of action. The clamping| of the yarn occurs before the yarn is cut, and after the yarn is clamped, it is cut between the clamping finger and the web. The clamping device is so positioned and constructed that the yarn at certain parts is drawn out of the clamping device in the same direction 'in which it is placed in the clamping device, and, therefore, the yarns held by the clamping finger are not disturbed.

By the use of the. several independent feeds for the threads, as herein shown, I am enabled to use threads of different qualities or weights for the different portions of the stockings. For example, the garter top may be knit of ordinary yarn of a heavy weight, while the leg of the stocking may be knit of silk. When the ankle is reached another yarn may be substituted together with a reenforcing yarn,

and this is also true ofthe foot portion of the stocking. The heel and toe pockets may also, if desired, be knit of still heavier yarn or yarn of different quality from thatused in other portions -of the stocking.

In this manner the exposed portions of a stocking may be knit of silk andby rea.- son of the auxiliary splicing feed, reenforced with the same material,

ortions may be reenforced with material of) cheaper quality.

The spring beards of the v needles are readily controlled by the beard depressers, which are simply rocked without being moved endwise by a stationary cam, which engages the beard depressers at the proper time for closing the beards of the needles.

while the foot 'beard' depresser may e thrown simulof the stocking. When.

Not only in construction and action, but vthey may be readily removed from -the needle cylinder without removing the supporting ringat the are these beard depressers simplespring rests is V-shaped and, therefore, said be readily removed. The lower end of the beard depresser is also tapered so that it may be readily inserted merely by pressure, as the tapered end will engage the coil spring and allow ythe lower end of the beard depresser to pass the same, so that the spring may slip into the notch in said depresser.

While I have herein shown', .by way of illustration, one embodiment of the invention, i. e., in a knitting machine of the spring beard type, and have indicated the preferred means for positioning with relatlon to the auxiliary yarn,

the groups of needles obvious that the invention 1s not necessarily restricted to that class or to the particular positioning means specified.

It is obvious that minor changes in the details of 'construction and the arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described claim:

1. In a knitting machine, the combination of a needle cylinder, a series of needles carried thereby, a yarn feeding device, means whereby said yarn feeding devicemay be rendered inoperative, and a,z yarn clamping and cutting device, said cuttin device being located between the clamping evice and the web, and means for posltively guiding the of knitting machines my invention i yarn from contact with the cutter when the yarn feeding device is thrown into operation and for pulling the arn from the clamping device, the yarn being 'removed {irst from the clamping device andthen from the cutter. l

2. yIn a knitting machine, the combination of a needle cylinder, a series of spring beard needles carried thereby,

a plurality of yarn feedin devices,` means for independently renderlng said yarn feeding deyices'operative or lnoperative, a yarn clamping and cutting device including' a supporting plate,

a clamping finger for yieldingly clamping the yarn against the plate, a stationary cutter for cutting the yarn between the clamping finger and the web, and means for positively guiding the yarn from contact with the cutter when the yarn 'feeding device is thrown into operation and for. pulling the yarn from the clamping device', the yarn being removed first from the clamping device and then from the cutter.

3. In a knitting machine, the combination drum step by step,

' of a needle cylinder, a series of spring beard cutting device including a supporting plate,-l a clamping finger for yieldingly clamping the yarns against said plate, and a stationary cutter for cutting the yarn between the clamping finger and the web, said supporting platev having a slot formed therein into which the yarn is drawn when thrown into 'action said slot terminating at a point between the cutting knife andthe clamp where-g by said yarn may be drawn from the lclamping finger by a movement in the same direction in which the yarn is placed underneath said'clamping linger. y

4. In a knitting machine, the combination of a needle cylinder, a series of spring beard needles carried thereby, a plurality of yarnfeeding fingers for guiding independent yarns, a pattern drum lhaving pattern segments thereon for throwing said fingers into and out of action, means for moving said cutting device. for clamping and holding the ends of the yarn of the idle yarn-feeding lingers and for severing said yarns from the knitted web and means for positively guiding the yarn from contact with the cutter when the yarn feeding fingers are thrown into operation and for pulling the yarn from the clamping device, the yarns being removed first from the clamping device and then from the cutter.

5. In combination,V in a circular knitting machine,.a cylinder, needles, a horizontal plate within the needle circle, a yielding clampingl finger vresting thereon, said plate having a finger projecting therefrom in a direction opposite the movement of the cylinder, and having an opening in rear of the clamp' to receive the yarn, a cutting knife in rear of said bearing extending at right angles to -t e surface of the plate and with its cutting edge inclined in relation to said surface, substantially as described.

6. In a knitting machine, a needle cylin` der; a series ofneedles carried thereby; means for feeding yarn to all of said needles during. round and round knitting; said needlesr passing said .yarn guide'at a common level; means for feeding an auxiliary yarn at a different point from said first mentioned yarn feed; and means for positioning a selected group of needles at a level adapted to engage said auxiliaxy yarn and nelecte group of needles at a level adapted to pass under- -neath said auxiliaryyarn, said means for feeding the auxiliary ryarn'- being' so posiltionedrelative to the firsty mentioned selected group of needles that the auxiliary yarn is drawn into engagement with and @means for feeding -needles to normal knitting unvarying, feeding partially about the shank of the leading needle of said group, whereby the insertion of the auxiliary yyarn at a definite point in the fabric is positively ensured.

7 In a knitting machine, a needle cylinder; a series of needles carried thereby; yarn to all of said needles, during round 4and round knitting; a yarn guide for feeding an auxiliary yarn at a different point from said first -mentioned yarn feed; means for moving said auxiliary yarn guide into and out of operative position for causing the auxiliary yarn to engage a selected group of needles, and for holding said yarn guide in fixed position, while feeding yarn to said selected grou of needles for successive knitting rotations;

means for positioning another selected group of needles, at a level-whereby they pass underneath the auxiliary yarn, and imeans for returning said last mentioned group of passing the auxiliary yarn., 4

8. In a circular/knitting machine', a needle cylinder; a series of needles carried thereby;

a yarn-clamping and/ yarn guide for feeding yarn to all of said needles for circular knitting; a. yarn guide for feeding an auxiliary orosplicing yarn to a group of said needles, said yarn guide for the auxiliary or splicin yarn having an positlon relative to the first mentioned yarn guide for successive rounds of knitting from margin to margin of the splicing area; means' for depressing the needles that are outside of the splicing area below the splicing or auxiliary yarn feed level, so as to float the yarn across the circleof needles from side to side of the group of 1needles receiving the splicing or auxiliary yarn; and means for returning the depressed needles to normal knitting position after passing the splicing -or auxiliary yarn.

l 9. In a knitting machine, the combination of a-needle cylinder, a seriesof short butt needles, and a series of long butt needles,

position after means for feeding a yarn to allof said needles, and means for feeding an auxiliary. yarn to said short butt needles only, from a point substantially on the oppositeside-of the axis of the cylinder from the knitting point.

lO. In a knitting machine, the combination of a needle cylindena series of short buttneedles, and` a series of long butt needles, means for feeding'a yarn to'all of said needles, means for feeding an auxiliary splicing yarn to said short butt needles only froma point substantially on the opposite side of the axis of the cylinder from the knitting point, and' means for depressing said long butt-needles, whereby they may be caused to pass underneath the splicingl yarn.

11. In a knitting machine, "the combination of a needle cylinder, a series of short butt needles, and a series of long butt needles, means for feeding a yarn to all of said needles, means for feeding an auxiliary splicing yarn to said short butt needles only from a point substantially on the opposite tion of a needle cylinder, a series of short butt needles, and a series of long butt needles, means for feeding a yarn to all of said needles, means for feeding an auxiliary splicing yarn to said short butt needles only from a point substantially on the opposite side of the axis of the cylinder from the knitting point, and a cam for depressing the long butt needles, whereby a splicing yarn is drawn around the shank of the first needle in the short butt series and pressedagainst the outer face of the short butt needles.

13. ln a. knitting machinethe combination of a needle cylinder, a series of short l iittneeclles, and a series of long buttneedles, means for feeding a yarn to all of said needles, means for feeding an auxiliary yarn to Asaid short butt needles only from a point substantially on the opposite side of the axis' of the cylinder from the knitting point, a cam for depressing the long butt needles, whereby said auxiliary yarn is drawn around the shank of the first needle in the short butt series and pressed aga-inst the outer face of the short butt needles, and means for raising the long butt needles after said auxiliary yarn has been drawn around the shank of the last needle in the short butt series and between said needle and the first needle in the long butt series.

14. in a knitting machine, the combination of a needle cylinder, a series of short butt needles, and a series of` long butt needles, means for feeding a yarn to all of said needles, means for feeding an auxiliary splicing yarn to said short butt needles only from a point substantially on the opposite side of the axis of the cylinder from the knitting point. a cam for depressing the longbutt needles, whereby a splicing yarn is drawn around the shank of the first needle in the short. butt series and pressed against the outer facel of the short butt needles, means for raising the long butt needles after said splicing-yarn has been drawn around the shank of the last needle in the short butt series and between said needle and the first needle in the long butt series, and a yarn guide for engaging the splicing yarn between the yarn-feeding device and the knitting point for holding the same depressed centrally of the needle cylinder.

15. In a knitting machine, the combination of a needle cylinder, a series of spring beard needles carried thereby, a lurality of yarn feeding devices, means yor independently rendering 'said yarn feedingY devices operative or inoperative, a stationary cutter for cutt-ing the yarn between the yarn feeding device and the web, a supporting plate for said cutter, said supporting plate having a slot formed there1n`,and

an eye, whereby said yarn may be drawn into the slot and pulled through the eye, and thus be drawn from the knife inthe opposite direction tov that in which the yarn was drawn against the knife.

16. In a knitting machine, the combination of a needle cylinder, a series ofl spring beard needles carried thereby, a plurality of yarn-feeding' devices, means for independently rendering said yarn-feeding devices voperative or inoperative, a yarn-clamping .and cut-ting device including a supporting plate',r a clamping finger for yieldingly clamping the yarns against said plate, and a stationary' cutter for cutting the yarn between the clamping finger and the web, said supporting plate having a slotformed therein in' whichthe yarn is drawn when thrown into action, whereby said yarn may be'drawn from the clamping iinger by la movement in the same direction in which the yarn is placed underneath said clamping nger. and the' yarn drawn from the cutter in the opposite direction to that in which the yarn was drawn against said cutter.

17. ln a knitting machine, the combination of a. rotary and reciprocating needle cylinder. a series of short butt needles, a series of long butt needles, means for feeding a yarn to all of saidneedles, means for feeding an auxiliary splicing yarn to said short butt needles only, lfrom a point sub stantially on the opposite side of the axis of the cylinder from the knitting point, a cam Vfor depressing the long butt needles to miss the auxiliary'splicing yarn, a lifting cam for the long butt needles during reciprocatory knitting to raise them to idle position, a depressing cam to move the long butt needles to active position, means for operating the'said cams in opposite directions, the auxiliary splicing yarn guide being moved to active position when the machine is on circular work and when the lifting cam for the long butt needles is in inactive position, substantially as described.

18. A knitting machine having a series of needles and automatic means for knitting thereon from a body yarn la predetermined wil extent of fabric, in combination with means -to position said auxiliary yarn feeding device operatively, and means co-operating 'with the needles during round and round knitting to cause the needles of a predetermined segment to take a different path between their advance at said needle-advancin surface and their retraction by said stitch cams with relation to the yarn from said auxiliary feedin device.

20. In a circular knitting 'machine,.i n combination with a needle cylinder and needles therein, stitchcams and yarn feeding de vices for feeding Aall of the needles, a device for feeding auxiliary yarn for sectional splicing, means for rendering saidl device active^and inactive at predetermined times andmeans co-operating with the needles to position a segment of them only to take the yarn from said device.

21. In a circular knitting machine the combination of yarn-changing yarn uides, an internal guide device for the arn t irown out of work, and needles mova le with re-l spect to the yarn in a position to take yarn) from a guide 'in an operative position, in

combination with an. auxiliary yarn guide, an internal guide device for the yarn from said guide, and lmeansito position some of the needles 'only to take yarn :from the said auxiliary guide. g

22. In a circular stocking knitting machine with a main @yarn feed, means for splicing an area less than the full circumference of the stocking comprising a splicing yarn finger movably mounted to be thrown l to and from feeding position, long and short butt needles arranged respectively in half circles, andcam means for dividing the long and short butt needles to Ypermit feeding the splicing yarn to the short butt needles only which also take the main yarn,.the said movable splicing finger remaining in feeding position during' round knitting and through'- out thev needle circle While the splicing area is `being formed and being removed only after splicingv of saidarea has been effected. v

l23. A knitting machine having a series of needles, a body yarn-guide, a stitch-caminl combination with means acting onl the, needles between* passages of the stitch-cam to isolate one or more needles from the other needles, an auxiliary yarn-feed guide adaptf ed to feed an additional yarn to said isolated cai needle or needles only, and means for rendering said auxiliary yarn-guide operative and inoperative at a point fixed in relation 'l to said isolating means at predetermined times.

24. A knitting machine having yarn changing means operating at predetermined t mes in combination with a device for hold-A mg the ends of withdrawn yarns 1n position tion with a Vdevice for holding and tightening the ends of the yarns when withdrawn comprising means to form a bight inA a reinserted yarn in contact with other held yarns, whereby when said reinserted yarn 1s withdrawn by relative motion between 4said needles andholding'device said yother held yarns are^ tightened between said yarnguide and said holding device.

26. In a. circular knitting machine, thev combinationof a device for feeding auxil.

iary yarn, means for moving said device into operative position, to introduce thread to the needles, and to move said device to withdraw thread from position to be -engaged i by' the needles; and means lwhereby during roundl and round. knitting a .plurality of successive needles are caused to travel at different heights from other needles in relation to said device, at the points of such introduction or withdrawal. v

27. In a knittin machine, the combination of a-needle cy inder, a series of successive short butt'needles and a series of successive long butt needles, means for feeding a yarn to all ofsaid needles, and means forfeeding an auxiliary arn to said series of short butt needles on y, from a -point lsubstantially on the `opposite side of the axis of the cylinder from the knitting point.

28. In a knittin -machine, the combination of a needle cylinder, a series of successive shortbuttneedles and a series of successive long butt needles, means for feeding a yarn to all of said needles, and means for feeding an additional yarn to said series of short butt needles only, from a of the cylinder lfrom the knitting' point.

29. A knitting machine having in combination a'needle carrier and needles therein, a needle advancing cam surface'and a -stitch cam having a needleretracting surface engaging all'the needles during round and round knitting,.a main yarn feeding device, a device for feeding auxiliary yarn, means to position said device operatively, and means cooperating with the'needles during round and round knitting to cause the -needles of va predetermined segment to take a different path from vthatof the remaining needles oint substantially on the oppositevside o the axis elli advance at said needle advancand their retraction by said between their ing surface stitch cam,

30. A knitting machine having in combination a needle carrierand needle therein, stitch cams llaving'needleadvancingan needle retracting surfaces and a main yarn fcedng device, a device for feeding auxiliary yarn, means to position said last mentioned device operatively, and means cooperating with the needles to cause the needles of a predetermined segment to take va different path fromthatof the other necdles'between their advance and retraction by said surfaces at said stitch cams with relation to the yarn from said device.

3l. ln a circular knitting machine, the combination of a device for feeding auxiliary yarn; means for moving said device into operative position, to introduce thread to the needles, and to move -said device to Withdraw thread from position to be engaged by the needles; a stitch cam operating all the the needles during round and round knitting, and means whereby during round and round knitting a plurality of successive needles are caused `to travel at different heights from other needles at the points of such introduction or withdrawal.

32. ln a circular knitting machine, the combination of a stitch cam operating all of the needles during round and round knitting,

a device for feeding auxiliary yarns; means.

`for moving said device into operative position to introduce thread tothe needles, and to move said device to withdrawfthread from position to be engaged by the needles; and means whereby a plurality of successive needles are caused to travel at different heights from other needles in relation to said device, at the points of such introduction or Withdrawal. i l

33. ln a knitting machine, a needle cylinder and needles carried thereby, a stitch cam operating all the needles, means for feeding la body yarn to all the needles, said needles passing Isaid yarn guide at a common level, means for feeding an auxiliary yarn at a different point from said first mentioned yarn feed, and means for positioning'a selected number of needles ata level adapted to engage said auxiliary yarn and for positioning the remaining needles at ai level adapted to'pass underneath said auX- iliary-yarn, said means for feedingthe auxiliary yarn being so positioned relative to' the first mentioned selected number of needles that the 'auxiliary yarn is drawn into engagement with and partially about the shank of the first of said last mentioned needles, whereby the insertion of the auX- iliary yarn at a definite point in the fabric is positively ensured. 4

34e. In a knitting machine, a needle cylinder and needles carried thereby, a stitch yarn to all the needles,

, to said long butts cam operating all the needles, means for feeding a body yarn to all the needles, during round and round knitting, a yarn guide for feeding an auxiliary yarn at a different 4point from said first mentioned yarn feed,v

means for moving said auxiliary yarn guide into andl out of operative position for cansing the auxiliary yarn to engage a selected needle, and for fixed position while feeding yarn to said needle and a selected number of following needles during successive knitting rotations,

vmeans for positioning the remaining needles at a level whereby they pass underneath the auxiliary yarn, and means for returning said last mentioned needles to normal knitting position after passing the auxiliary arn. y 35. A knitting machine having a series of needles, a body yarn guide for feeding a stitch cam operate in combination with ing all the needles,

holding said yarn guide in Y means acting on the needles between passagesof thc stitch cam to isolate one or more needles from the other needles, an auxiliaryyarn feed guide adapted to feed anaadditional yarn to said isolated needle or needles only, and means for rendering saidA auxiliary yarn-guide operative and in operative at a point fixed in relation to said isolating means at predetermined ytimes an for holding said yarn .guide in fiiged-f position while feeding yarnv to said solated needles during successive knitting rotations. 36. In a circular knitting machine, the combination of a device for feeding an auxiliary splicing yarn tosplicing needles, means for moving said device into yarn feeding .osition duri-ng round and round knitting, a needle cylinder and needles therein, a stitch cam retracting all the needles during round and round knitting, needle jacks having long butts associated with a succession of needles ande-needle jacks having short butts associated VAwith and a cam positioned in engaging 4relation and tion to said short butts, to cause the splicing needles only to pass the auxiliary yarn at the level to take said yarn .from said auxiliary yarn 'feeding device when in the operative position, prior -to retraction of the needlesby the stitch cam. f

37. In a circular combination of needle -Kseparatingmeans for positioning a predetermined number of needles at a different level from that of' theremaining splicing needles, a retracting stitch cam engaging all the needles during round and round knitting, a-device for feeding an auxiliary splicing yarn located between said separating means and said stitch cam at a point substantially removed from said stitch cam, and means for positioning said feeding device during round and round knitting in non-engaging rela-` kni'tting machine, the.

iis

" at an operative level to feed yarn to the to needles in only one .said splicing yarn,

' devices for `feeding l all of 'the needles to splicing needles and to position said yarn above the remaining needles at the needle levels determined bysaid separating cam.

38. In a` circular knitti machine, the. combination of a needle cy inder, a series of successive short butt needles and a series of successive long butt needles, means for feeding a yarn to all of said needles during round and round knitting, a stitch cam o erating all the needles during such lrnittlng, means for feeding an auxiliary splicing yarn of said series at a point substantially removed from the stitch cam, means'interposed to move said needles to a level to encounter said stitch cam after receiving said splicing yarn, and means in advance of said splicing yarn to cause predetermined needles to passsaid yarn at a different level from that of the remaining needles. v

39. In a circular knitting machine, the combination of a needle cylinder and needles therein, a stitch cam for operating `all the needlesuring round and round knitting,

devlces for feeding a body yarn to all of tlfe\ needles,-

a device for feeding an auxiliary yarn for sectional splicing, means for positioning said device at an operative level at predetermined times, and a cam acting on the Aneedle butts tov position the needles in a predetermined segment at a level below said cam being located 1n non-engaging relation to the remaining needles'passing it at a level adapted to take said splicing yarn.

40. Inl a circular knitting machine, the combination ofa needle cylinder and needles therein, a stitch cam for operating all the needles 'during round and round lknitting, devices for feeding a body yarn to all of the needles, a device for feeding an auxiliary yarn for sectional splicing, means for positioning said device at an operative level at predetermined times, a cam surface raising all of the needles to a 'common level after, their retraction by said stitch cam, the nee- Ydles at said levelbeing adapted to take yarn from said splicing device in the active position, a cam acting only on the needles of a predetermined segment to position them at `a. level not to take said splicing yarn.

41. 'In a circularl knitting machine, the combination of a needle cylinder vand needles therein, a stitch cam for operatin all the needles during round' and round mitting, a body yarn to all of the needles, Va device for feedmg an auxiliary yarn forsectional splicing, means for posiside of the axis tion, a cam actingonly on the needles in a redetermined segment to retract them to a evel below said-splicing yarn.

42. Ina circular knitting machine, ,the combination of a Iieedle cylinder and needles therein, a stitch cani for operatino all the needlesduring round and round lmitting, devices for feeding a body yarn to al1 of the needles, a device for feeding an auxiliary yarn for sectional splicing, means for positioning said device at an operative level at predetermined times, a cam-surface raising all of the needles to their retraction by said stitch cam, the needles at said level being adapted to take yarn from said splicing device in the active position, a cam acting only on the needles in a a Common level aftery predetermined segment to retract them to a round and round knitting, said needles passing` said yarn feeding means at a common level, means for feedingran auxiliary yarnat iirst mentioned -a different point from said positioning a yarn feed, and means for selected group of-needles at a level to engage said auxiliar other selecte group of needles at a level to pass underneath said auxiliary yarn, said means for feeding the auxiliary yarn being so positioned relative to the first mentioned selected group of needles that the' auxiliary yarn is drawn into engagement with and partially about the shank of the leading needle of said group, whereby the insertion of the auxiliary yarn at at definite point in the fabric is positively insured.

44. In a knitting machine, the combination of a needle cylinder, aseries of short butt needles, a series of long butt needles, means for feedinga yarn to all said needles during round and'round knitting, and means for feeding an auxiliary yarn during such knitting to said short butt needleslonly from ay point substantially on the opposite of thel cylinder from the knitting point.

45. Inf a knitting machine, thex combina- .tion of a vneedle cylinder, a series of short tioning said device at an operative level at ,needles only from a point substantially on predetermined times, a cam surface raising a common level after theirretraetion by-said stitch cam, the nee-y dles at said level being adapted to take yarn` fronhsaid splicing device .in the active posifirst needle in shortl butt series and pressedyarn and for positioning ari-- knitting tosaid shortbutt the cylinder i for depress- 

